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Penny (Nv) on 07/21/2017
2 out of 5 stars

I developed toe nail fungus, December of 2015. I went to the doctor, which was a waste of time. I've tried fungus ointments, etc., etc., etc. I ended up losing my whole nail. I started reading everything about ACV and hot water/cool water. Alternating the two. I started soaking my toe on June 23rd of this year (2017). I've also added Epsom salt and baking soda to the water. I've done this twice a day sometimes 3 times a day for 30 minutes, no less! After that, sometimes I'll make a paste of ACV and baking soda and leave that on for about 10 minutes. I also mix a combination of tea tree oil, Lavender and coconut oil and massage it into the nail bed and surrounding skin on my toe. In addition to all this, I have been drinking two tablespoons of ACV in two cups of cold filtered water twice/daily.

The 23rd of this month (July) will be one month!! I have been so diligent with this whole process. I have NOT missed one day. Trying to be positive because of all the excellent results I have read on this issue. But I have to say, I'm just getting so discouraged. I've lost my nail completely, I'm keeping it cleaned and making sure any discolored nail that starts to grow is cut. I don't know what else I can do. The doctor said it takes one year for a nail to grow. But I've also read reviews where the nail grew back in just a few months. I guess I'm just looking for some positive support from people who have been right where I am right now, or let me know if there is anything else I can do to help this process. I know everyone it's different for everyone and I just need to be patient. It's going on a month I've been at this. Is there anything else I should or can be doing??? Thank you for listening.

Penny

Replied By Gina (Nj) on 07/30/2017

Hey Penny! Have you tried drinking ACV a few times a day?

Replied By Gina H (California) on 08/30/2017

Penny, I'm not sure why you would want to use baking soda at all, as it is alkaline and fungus thrives on an alkaline environment. Try using just the vinegar; the acid in it is what makes your toe nail inhospitable to the fungus.

Replied By Joe (Los Angeles) on 09/14/2017

Apple cider vinegar works because it is acidic. Baking soda neutralizes the acidity. It cancels it out. All you're left with is salty water.

According to the instructions, you should soak your toes in undiluted apple cider vinegar. Try that, instead. Good luck!

Replied By Joseph (San Francisco) on 09/15/2017

I second what Joe said. Baking soda neutralizes the effects of vinegar.

I understand your approach ("I've read that solution A, B, and C all work - so I'll just combine all of it! ") but unfortunately chemistry's not in your favor. Vinegar alone should be effective at deterring toenail fungal growth.

Don't give up! Repeat the process, but keep it simple - just use the apple cider vinegar. Stay encouraged!

Replied By Will (Baltimore) on 09/17/2017

Put ACV in a spray bottle; spray your feet when you get a chance. In the morning soak your feet for 10 minuter in pure ACV, Organic.

Replied By Nizar (Toronto, Canada) on 10/15/2017

Thanks for your reply, Joseph. I have just started dipping my feet in ACV, because I have fungus in both feet. But, how often should I drain the old ACV and replace it with new.

Replied By Linda (Ohio) on 11/06/2017

Same here Penny, I've been doing this for about a month. I see results immediately, but as the day wears on they're back to the same black toenails.

Replied By Joe (AZ) on 07/08/2021

You can't do that for success! Baking soda (alkaline) cancels the acidity of the ACV! You must use ONLY ACV! Purchase a gallon of ACV from the Food Store or COSTCO etc dilute the ACV only 50% with water and soak your feet. After you remove your feet dry them. Then put bandaids on the effected nails where the white cotton/poly part of bandaid is centered over nail. Then dip you toes back in the soak for 3 seconds dry your feet again and go to bed with bandaids on your feet the additional ACV will soak in further overnight.

Replied By Waldo (GO) on 08/20/2023

Oh no... This was hard to read. To anyone reading this; DO NOT ADD BAKING SODA!

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. That's what makes it work here, because the fungus you're trying to treat is high alkaline (the opposite of acidic).

Baking soda however, is highly alkaline. It's a base. Which is a fancy way of saying that it neutralizes acids. In fact, scientists use it in labs for this purpose.

Put simply, by adding baking soda to your soak you were disabling the only thing that was helping you to kill the fungus. The acidic AVC.

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